Headlight Switch Problems of Toyota Prius - part 2

Headlights would randomly go out completely and would very quickly have to turn them off and then back on to get them to work. This did not happen very often but they did occur unexpectedly and caused extremely unsafe conditions while driving. Additionally, the headlights would barely illuminate the road at night all the time while driving in all conditions and on all roads, and the area they illuminated was only a very short distance in front of the car so this also created unsafe conditions at all times. To compensate I would turn on the high beams and then the proper area of the road would be illuminated. This made me have to switch from low to high beam on a regular basis and was extremely distracting having to do so whenever an oncoming car approached! I recently paid about $350-375 to have them relamped and that helped but only a very small amount. This is still a big problem and makes me not want to drive this car at night!!!.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Prius 🔎.

Hid lighting , headlights go off intermittently when driving . Need to turn light switch on and off to turn back on. Ongoing problem unexpected unable to predict.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Prius 🔎.

One headlight or both will randomly go out while driving. Has happened sporadically 6 or so times over the last 6 months, including this evening when both headlights failed. Totally random, can happen on short or long trips, city streets or highway. So far lights have come back on by cycling the light switch on and off.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Prius 🔎.

One or both of the Prius headlights will switch off on its own and I have to turn off the lights and turn them on several times in order for the headlights to stay consistently on. This is a serious safety issue when I am traveling at highway speeds at night and lose my headlights and then have to switch them on and off to make them work.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Prius 🔎.

Three times in the past 12 months I have had my one or the other of my headlights dim and go out. The first time I replaced both headlights assuming the light needed to be replaced so I should just do both. It has occurred two additional times and finally, last night, I returned to my parked car to discover both headlights were out. I was forced to drive home switching between high beams and no lights. Replacing bulbs every few months seems excessive. Losing headlights in the dark is dangerous. This problem needs to be addressed by Toyota and a recall needs to be initiated.

See all problems of the 2010 Toyota Prius 🔎.

One headlight went out, then the next. I was driving on the interstate after dark and realized that both of my headlights had gone out while I was driving. Turned switch off and then back on (I also put fog lamps on) and they worked for a short time, then they each dimmed and went out. I cannot safely drive at night and am unable to change the lights myself. I took the car to the dealer and the cost quoted was nearly $600 to replace the hid headlamps because the bumper must be removed to replace the bulbs. The dealer seemed unaware of the issue until I mentioned the class action lawsuit in 2011 against Toyota for this very issue.

See all problems of the 2009 Toyota Prius 🔎.

My 2006 Toyota Prius drivers side headlight goes out completely. It turns on when first engaging the light switch and turns off when in transit. It will relight after I turn the lights off and then back on again. My dealership has stated there is no issue with my headlights and provided me an inspection sticker for the vehicle. I need this issue to be fixed.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Prius 🔎.

The headlights of my 2007 Prius go off unexpectedly while driving. I have learned that if I then turn the switch off and on again they will come back on, but only for a short time. This has occurred as many as eight times during a 45 minute drive. At night on dark roads this is dangerous. I have had three near-misses as a result. Toyota had issued an "enhanced warranty" (5 year 50k miles) because of the many complaints filed around this situation, but I purchased my Prius used, older than 5 years, and more than 50k miles. I have spoken to Toyota north America, obtained case #1609193626, but they refuse to cover the cost of repair. Local Toyota service centers also refuse to do the repair work unless I pay full cost out of pocket. At this point I seem to have no options but to pay the cost myself, which I understand can be as much as $1,500!.

I was driving down the interstate at 11:30 going 70mph when both of my headlights shut off. I was able to flick the switch off and on again and they came back. In the last two weeks the drivers side light has intermittently been shutting off but this is the first time I've had an issue with both simultaneously.

Right hid headlamp intermittently goes out while driving and does not go back on. However, when you switch the headlight toggle switch off then on again, right hid headlamp goes back on. While driving for a distance of 120 miles last night, this happened 6 times on both city and highway and road conditions ie. Bumps etc is not a factor since it happens on a smooth paved highway as well. The outage can occur a few minutes after turning the toggle headlamp switch on or it can stay on for 20 miles then out again. Since the car is never left idling with the headlamps on, it is unknown whether right headlamp will go out while parked. Have read in the Prius chat site that many other drivers have experienced similar problem and despite the dealer replacing the hid bulb or even the entire headlamp assembly which is over $1,100 the problems were never fully resolved. . Read more...

Head lights turn off after being on for a while. Turning off headlight switch and turning it back on turns the light back on. High beam stitch does not affect the light which is off. This happens while in motion on both highways and city streets. This occurs frequently.

My hid headlights are acting crazy. I start my car and pull out after about 10 mins my passenger headlight will just go out. I can turn my headlights off by the switch and back on and it will come back on. It scares me though that both might go out one night and not come back on. I was actually pulled over tonight by the police because of this issue with the headlights.

The right headlight goes off while I am riding. I took it to the dealer and they can't find anything wrong. When the light goes out and I turn the light switch off and then turn it back on. The light comes on. Then it will go out again after driving for a while. I have been stopped by the police. I explained to the officer and he told me that I had to get it fixed or don't drive the car at night. I can't tell if the light is on or off while driving unless I come up behind another car and see the reflection. I always check the light when I start my trips and it is always on. I heard that one gentleman paid up to $2600. 00 for repairs do to the same thing. He still has the problem. Can some one please help me and other Toyota owners. I can't afford to pay aa dealer to experiment with the car and I can't afford another car at this time. I'm 71 years old and retired on a fixed income.

The trunk release latch on my 2007 Prius has deteriorated almost to the point of not being able to open the trunk. The same part was replaced about 4 years after I purchased the vehicle. And now, it's happening again. It's like the plastic stuff is melting and falling apart. We are having to purchase this same part, for the second time now. Love my Prius, but hate having to make repairs on the same issue 2 times. Also, I had the headlights repaired (from a recall) about 2 years after I purchased the car. The front headlights are still doing the same thing. The problem was never really fixed. While driving at night and in day time, the headlights go out. Usually they go out one at a time. Like the right side will go out. Then you can flip the switch to turn them on and off, and it'll work again for about 5 minutes. Then the left side will go out. This usually happens every night while driving and I have to flip the switch on and off about 9 times while driving short and long distances. I just usually flip the switch and they come back on again. Sometimes while driving at night, they both go out at the same time. Really a safety hazard when driving around with my 2 small kids!! brought it back to Toyota dealership in lake charles to be repaired. But they said they couldn't re-create the problem, so they couldn't fix it. How long do you think I can keep driving around in the dark with malfunctioning lights and kids in the car????????????????? this happens daily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

While driving, at night, both headlights went out (went dark). Since I was near home, within my subdivision, I stopped the car immediately and switched the lights off and then back on again. The lights came back on, so I drove home and have not driven the car after dark, again.

While driving down a two lane highway at 55mph in a very remote and dark location, both headlights failed. I was able to avoid what would likely have been a fatal collision only because I was on a straight portion of the road at the time - had this happened a few seconds earlier, I'd have been taking a very sharp curve at speed and would likely have driven off the road before I could react. I was able to pull over and toggle the switch to reactivate the lights, but I was in an area so remote that calling for a road service was not possible, so I had to drive the vehicle another 35 miles to reach my home. I was told by the dealer that it was likely a "fluke" - but. . . Both headlights failed, simultaneously, a second time, a few weeks later. Toyota wants to replace the bulbs but will not guarantee that they will not fail, simultaneously, again. I've since learned that this has happened to many Prius owners and that NHTSA investigation determined that this problem is "not serious" because simultaneous failure of both headlights is "rare" - but this very thing has happened twice in so many months to my vehicle. The problem is in fact so common that there was a class action lawsuit. It is not possible to safely or legally drive a vehicle that has potentially failing headlights (that the dealer will not guarantee can be fixed), leaving me with a basically useless car that I cannot in good conscience resell to another motorist. Really, it is only a matter of time until this known issue results in a fatality.

The left headlight has been going off while driving. I've got the 'safety' package #7 with special hid headlights. When I turn the lights off and on again, it comes back on for awhile. Two nights ago both headlights went out while driving. Very scary! I was on an on ramp and couldn't see at all. They both came back on after I turned the switch off and then on.

Intermittent hid/xenon headlight operation. Must cycle power using headlight on/off switch to reignite headlight. Happens occasionally during cold starts in the morning as well as during vehicle operation.

The headlights on my Prius randomly go dark. Sometimes 1 headlight and other times both. Turning off the light switch and then back on is a temporary fix. The problem comes back minutes later. This is very unsafe for myself and other drivers on the road. This happened while I was on the interstate going 70 mph last night!.

Right headlight flickers out about 2-3 minutes after turning it on. By turning the switch off and on, the light comes back on. But if fails again in a few minutes. This happens while driving, but also happens sitting in the driveway with the engine off.

Driving down a highway at 10:30pm and my headlights just failed. Both of them off! no warning, just black. I turned off the light switch and back on, they lite up again bright for about 2seconds then dimmed a little and 30 seconds later, off again. This continued for about then minutes; off, bright, dim, off, etc. . . Then only one light stayed on for the remainder of my 20 mile drive home. Thank goodness it was a relatively straight road and not very busy but there are no street lights or bill boards on this road so when the lights went out. . . It was very dark.

When driving home on highway just after dark, both headlights went out simultaneously without driver interaction. Headlight switch was still on, untouched. Visibility outward as well as other vehicles seeing me (black Prius at night without lights) severely impaired, could easily have caused an accident. Pulled over and turned headlight switch off, then back on; lights came on bright and immediately dimmed, apparently normal. Checked online and found a number of similar (escalating) occurrences by others, without a recall yet by Toyota. After pulling over and stopping.

While driving on the highway at night, the left headlight will go out. I turn the headlight switch off and back on and the left headlight comes on again. However, within a few minutes it goes out again. This happens repeatedly. One time both headlights went off at the same time. I'm reporting this because it is an issue that many Prius driver's have had so seems to be a design problem. This issue has occurred many times and seems to be a permanent problem now.

I was driving at night on the freeway 280 and suddenly both headlights went out, it was so black you couldn't see anything on the road. Talk about scary, try driving at 65 mph on a road that curves when you all yo can see is black. I was able to jiggle the switch the headlight switch off and on several times and the lights finally came back on. With my heart pounding I continued to drive home only to have both headlights again go out together. This happened 6-7more times until I reached home. I was actually shaking by the time I got out of my car. Why were both headlights malfunctioning at the exact same times? I took the car to the dealers the next day and after inspection they told me I simply needed new headlights. I thought it was an electrical malfunction, but they insisted that it was just the headlights going out and that this happened all the time. Why would they be using headlights that they know both go out at the same time??this is highly dangerous. People could have a heart attack if not an accident! I spent $500 to replace the two headlights. However, I just recently experience the exact same problem of both head lights going out. My car is at the dealers this very moment for the same problem. I hope my 2005 Prius gets recalled for this headlight problem so other people to not have to experience this trama and dangerous situation. I was surprised to learn that this headlight problem is common to the Prius. Outside of this dangerous headlight problem I love my Prius.

Me and my family traveling down the interstate at 70 mph in the dark when a tractor trailer all of a sudden started to change lanes when we were directly to the left of it. Luckily the lane to our left was open and we were able to quickly change lanes to avoid collision. It turns out our 2005 Prius headlights were not working and the truck did not see us. Had to turn lights off then on again to get them to work. The rest of the way home one light would go out, then the other would go out. Had to turn switch off then on again to get them to turn on again. This is definitely a major safety issue with this car. Why is there not a recall.

Ever since my fiance and I have had this car (late 2015, bought used with about 98,000 miles on it) there has been intermittent headlight failure! we thought we needed the headlights replaced and that would solve the problem. First of all, the specific headlight type for this vehicle (VIN [xxx]) is very expensive. About $100 per bulb! secondly, they are so difficult to replace that my trusted, long-time auto shop had to remove the entire front bumper to replace them, costing me $300 in labor. That's a total of $500 for repairs, just for headlights! then, just a few months later, the intermittent headlight failure started again. It is happening now (sept 16, 2016) and is a threat to my safety. I have been pulled over twice by the police for having a "burned out headlight," but I switch the lights off and back on again and they work fine for another 20 minutes or so. This problem is absolutely a threat to the safety of drivers, passengers, and others on the road at night. Headlight replacement itself is so outrageously expensive that it is absurdly unfair that unsuspecting vehicle owners should be responsible for the cost. Toyota needs to recall these vehicles and pay for the repairs to the electrical system. I am afraid that if Toyota does not take responsibility for this problem, they will eventually be sued by someone who is hurt in an accident caused by this problem. Problem happens while the vehicle is stationary, in motion, on city streets and highways, while turning, while going straight forward, and reverse. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I became aware the past few months that my right hid headlight was going off and on when I was driving. I was first alerted to it by other cars flashing me. Then time would go by and it seemed to work. Yet, the problem returned. One time the left light went out as well, and I was without either light. But generally it is just the right light. If I turn the light switch off and on, then both lights work, again usually until I get home, I am aware that these expensive bulbs (more than $600 for both) are the common solution, but I know someone who had the replacement bulbs go out, as well ,after a few months. So it must be the circuity. I will try to limit my driving to day time, and to be diligent to remember to be on the lookout for sudden light failure and switch,the lights on and off. My memory isn't as sharp as it once was, being an elderly retired person. This makes me quite nervous especially on icy roads in an area that darkens early. Suggested repairs are currently above my means. Thank you for hearing this.

My lights have been going off intermittently for a few months now. I went to the dealership for a 12 v battery issue and a couple of recall items, including the hybrid cooling recall issue and the dealer thought this might fix the issue but it has not. What happens is that at any given moment, each and every day/night, when I am driving one or the other headlight will go out. Occasionally both will go out. The only way this is remedied is when I toggle the light switch off and on. Sometimes it takes 2-3 toggles to get the problem to resolve, the suddenly and again, and again the one or the other lights go out. Apparently this is an issue with Toyota Prius's of my year. This happens every time I drive and there is no rhyme or reason. I happens when I am driving. I have tested it to see if happen over bumps and it does not specifically--it just happens when I am driving and several times over. I am not a mechanic though you don't have to be one to see that this kind of issue is not the bulb, because when the bulbs are working they shine brightly. It has to be some other issue with the functioning of the lighting system. This happens on city streets, on highways and when stationary. It happens when I am going straight and turning. It happens and any and all speeds.

The headlights go at without warning. Sometimes one goes out sometimes both while we are driving. Bulb replacement does not fix the issues. This has continued to be a problem for years. Toyota service has not offered a fix that works! I have been driving on the highway or local roads when, all of a sudden, all the lighting goes dark. I have had success in relighting the headlights by turning off the headlights at the main switch and then turning them back on. Extremely dangerous. Breaks are also a menace: on wet roads it is especially noticeable when using the breaks. If you are breaking and a tire goes over a more slippery surface than the pavement, such as a manhole cover, the abs system cuts breaking to all the wheels such that the car continues on as if the breaks are not being applied - the car effectively releases the breaks and you loose control of the car until its systems decide to return controls to the driver. This happens over and over and over. Try it on a road with a bit of loose gravel on it or the leftover coarse sand from winter road maintenance or going through a milde pothole where gravel has spilled onto the road. . . . Breaking in these conditions will consistently cause the car to diminish breaking power to such an extent that the car is no longer lowing down. We own 6 cars of varying makes and this is the only car that has this issue. The other side of this same issue is that if you are pulling out into traffic and a drive wheel hits a slightly slippery patch, the engine power is cut for so long and so severely that we are at risk of being hit. This happens every single time. Toyota service has not offered a fix. Though we have told them abou this issue repeatedly, they typically do not write it down and tell us it is normal. It is not normal or safe.

When my vehicle has the headlights on while I am driving one or both will spontaneously go off. This occurs more when it is wet out, and seems to occur more when I hit a bump, but it will occur often with no antecedent. If I turn the headlight switch off and then on again the headlight (or headlights) will turn back on but then may go off randomly again later while driving. The bulbs are fine. I've read online and this seems to be a common problem for the 2006 and 2007 Prius. So common I doubt it is a random malfunction but a engineering/electrical design or equipment problem. Very dangerous when driving at night. Occurs almost every time I drive it.

Head light will intermittently go off. I can turn the light switch to off and then back on and the headlight will come back on. Usually this happened on a street or highway when the car is in motion and lights are switch on. This happens off and on when the car is being driven. Usually it is the left headlight, but occasionally the right headlight goes off as well. This has been happening for several months. The Toyota dealer quotes $500. 00 to make repairs! I did research on internet and found that this problem is pretty common for certain years of the Toyota Prius automobiles, 2005 included.

The lights on this vehicle have been an issues since I bought it in 2012. The headlights randomly go off while driving, usually one at a time. They will come on again if you notice it and flick the switch. Replacing the bulbs has not solved the problem(had one replaced) now my daughter is driving the vehicle and she has been stopped a number of times with a headlight out. I will again replace the bulb, but this does not appear to be the underlying problem, which appears to be a manufacturers problem to me.

Headlights go out while driving, and come back on when headlights are switched from on to off then back on again. This can happen 1 time during a trip or multiple times. Diag of issue is not easy and usually multiple parts are replaced trying to fix the issue.

Headlight on the driver side keeps turning off every couple of minutes. The only way to turn it back on is to flip the headlight switch. It looks like this is a defect in many Toyota Prius 2005 models. I would like the dealer to fix the issue even if tye car is beyond the manufacturer warranty as this is clearly a manufacturing defect.

This has been a recurring problem. The headlights will turn off without any warning. They turn back on if I flip the switch off and then back on again. The fact that the lights are on every time I leave the house (I can see their reflection against the garage wall) means they are not burnt out, but the fact that I have almost been hit multiple times by people who then honk and flash their brights to tell me my headlights are off means that they are turning off on their own. Through internet searches and chat forums, I have learned that I am not alone in this dangerous issue with my 2009 Toyota Prius.